* Ann Arbor native Hobbs Kessler has turned professional
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
Hobbs Kessler announced his decision to turn professional one day before his appearance in the first round of the 1,500m at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Thursday in Eugene, Oregon, Track and Field News reported on Wednesday.
According to Jeff Hollobaugh of T&F News, Kessler has signed with adidas and will run his first race officially with the shoe apparel brand. Kessler had previously signed with Northern Arizona University in November.
Recently, Kessler is coming off a national high school record and Olympic standard performance in the 1,500m at the Portland Track Festival on May 29. The Ann Arbor, Michigan native ran a blistering time of 3:34.36 to secure the American U20 record, and in doing so shattered a record that had held strong since 2001, back when Alan Webb was performing at the same elite level as a high schooler. That time also was faster than the collegiate record.
According to T&F News, Kessler will still enroll at NAU in the fall and will training in Flagstaff to get "a big strength phase of training," Kessler said. Ron Warhurst will still reportedly continue coaching Kessler.
It wasn't the first instance of greatness, though. Kessler also broke an indoor national record in the mile in February with a time of 3:57.66 at an American Track League event. There, Kessler followed calmly behind professionals before unloading in the final 100 meters for the all-time mark.
Over the course of the outdoor season Kessler also ran 8:39.04 for 2-miles, he split 1:47 in the 800m on an anchor during Ann Arbor Skyline's performance at the Michigan state championship's, and he secured individual times of 50.09 in the 400m and 1:49.67 out right in the 800m.
In June, Kessler won both the 800m and 1,600m at the Michigan State Championships while guiding Skyline back into contention in the 4x800 with a second-place finish.
